Perhaps one of the most essential horse careers and one that requires the most training to become. A horse show veterinarian is an important job which carries the (often) heavy burden of long and unexpected hours.
What You Need
This is a position which benefits from attention to detail, strength of character and a love of the equine animal. Horse doctors have their fair share of sad, scary, disgusting, painful and rewarding moments in the course of their daily work. Show vets may work directly for the host stable (in the case of large shows) or come along with trainers to tend to their specific charges.
A love of education and science, a superb relationship with the equine animal and the ability to remain calm and organized under pressure are essentials for anyone persuing a career as a show vet.
Job Description
Responsible for the overall health of each animal in their charge, show vets often have a very heavy work schedule during show times. Beyond routine preventative medical care, they are also on call for emergencies and injuries. A show vet may work with a variety of people in addition to the animals including owners, trainers, show management and handlers or grooms to ensure horses are being properly fed, exercised and cared for. This is especially important in the stressful show process and show vets should understand additional preventative medicine for highly-stressed show animals.
Responsibilities Include
Educating horse owners about preventative care specific to show circuits
Attending to routine care & nutrition
Responding to emergency calls and injuries
Troubleshooting illness symptoms & treating problems
Troubleshooting & correcting leg soundness problems
Troubleshooting & advising the farrier on foot soundness issues and disease
Prescribing and administering medication
Requirements
This is a horse position which does require formal eduction, undergrad work as well as a four year program at a veterinary medical school to start. Then veterinary programs require undergrad students to pass a variety of test to meet admission requirements. Graduates from vet programs must then obtain local licensing (which will vary from country to country & state to state) prior to practicing horse medicine of any kind.
Resources
A few places to start if you are interested in a career as a horse show vet.
*Links open in a new window
World Equine Veterinary Association
Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians
American Association of Equine Practitioners
British Equine Veterinary Association
Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations
Equine Veterinarians Australia
South African Equine Veterinary Association
The Right Job For You?
If this isn’t your dream horse job, try using the search below to find it. You can also find more horse job descriptions on our careers page.
I am writing to you about these horses that are desperate for life in Botswana. Would you be willing to at least check this story out and consider publishing this to your blog readers?
I am Douglas Hammett, a missionary from Emmaus, Pa.
I met Angelique DeVilliers 2 years ago when I went looking for some guard dogs after a break in at my house. Many people in town recommended her to me and so out to her farm I went.
I was amazed at what I found. It reminded me of what I have seen in The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan. She has a wonderful way with her dogs.
But along with that I found that she was caring for some horses that were abused. She was doing that at her own expense. So I have watched this unfold over the last 2 years.
Then Angelique reached out to many of us here in Botswana asking for help. The horses she was caring for were becoming very expensive AND she had others with great needs.
So some of us have given, but frankly our funds are quite limited. This is where you could be of great help.
Angelique has started a fund raising project with Indiegogo. There are 24 days in this project left to raise the needed funds of $12,240 to care for 10 horses over the next 6 months.
This project is the great need right now.
I know that scams come out of Africa and you must beware of those. But I am asking that you at least take a look at this need.
You can check it out at http://www.indiegogo.com/RescueHorsesAfrica
More information can also be found in an article just published in The Voice, a Botswana newspaper.
http://www.thevoicebw.com/2012/11/12/animal-activist-appeals-for-help-to-save-horses/
Unfortunately one of the two horses Angelique was hoping to save died by the time the article went to press. If the money comes in time, she will still be able to save the one remaining horse.
You could be such a great help if you would alert your readers to this great need.
If you have further questions, feel free to write me at pdhammett@gmail.com
I will be happy to answer the questions I can or to put you in touch with Angelique.
Sincerely yours,
Douglas Hammett
Do you maybe have direct contact details for Angelique, email address?
Old school friend who wants to get in touch
thank you